Can yoga cure scoliosis?

Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that includes physical poses, breathing exercises, and relaxation and meditation techniques. These all improve your flexibility, strength, and balance, which are helpful in managing scoliosis, but unfortunately yoga cannot cure it.

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Scoliosis involves both sagittal and lateral curvatures of the spine and can be caused by a variety of reasons—for example, genetics, injuries, or muscle imbalances.

There is no cure for these asymmetries, but there are many available treatments. The three main treatment options are observation, bracing, and surgery.

Observation: For those with mild scoliosis, doctors will typically monitor the curve to see if it gets worse.

Bracing: This option is typically recommended for children who are still growing and have moderate curves (between 20 and 40 degrees).

Surgery: Surgery is usually only recommended for those with severe scoliosis (greater than 40 degrees) or those with other complications resulting from the scoliosis.

In addition to these treatment options, there are other ways to manage the condition, which include physical therapy, exercise, and pain management techniques. This is where yoga comes in.

Yoga helps those with scoliosis manage the condition through reducing its severity and pain by strengthening and stretching the body to better support the spine, posture, and balance. Yoga improves bone and muscle alignment, which allows the body to find a more natural body posture and reduce discomfort.

If you are considering yoga as a method to manage your scoliosis, talk to your doctor and find a qualified teacher to help you begin practicing safely. Focus on taking it slow and how your body feels—every body, scoliosis or not, is different and only you can determine what works for you.

Want to learn more? Check out my post What Is Yoga for Scoliosis?